Blue Jays: 5 likeliest non-roster invitees to crack the roster

#3   –   IF Andy Burns

Andy Burns doesn’t get enough love, but I hope that 2016 is the year that changes. In Burns, we enter a group of names that appear to have a more black-and-white trip on to the roster. “If Player X or Y go down, this player goes in.”

With the limited organizational depth that Toronto holds in the upper minors at third base and second base, Burns could quickly be the fill-in if injuries hit one of Josh Donaldson, Ryan Goins or Darwin Barney (until the return of Devon Travis).

In 2015 with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons, Burns played 50 games at third base, 46 at second, 13 at first, eight at shortstop and eight in the corner outfield. Yes, he’s versatile.

Burns has also shown the ability to hold his own with the bat, and I’m confident that he would handle the transition from triple-A to MLB pitching well enough to keep a position afloat.

In 126 games with the Bisons last season, Burns slashed .293 / .351 / .372 with 26 doubles and four home runs. The 25-year old certainly has the frame to produce more power, and if he’s able to do that, he could push for a utility roster spot a year from now even without an injury ahead of him.

For now, though, his value remains in being a well-rounded depth option that is just on the cusp. Given the variety of positions that he’s able to handle with relative skill, Burns will have several potential paths on to the MLB roster.

Next: #2: The veteran first baseman behind Smoak and Colabello